Splice-plate for rail-joints.



A. P. W. NETHBROOT. SPLICE PLATE FOR RAIL JOINTS, APPLICATION FILED IEB.25, 1910.

Patented Feb. 7, 1911.

1m: NORRIS PETERS cm, wnssmsmu', n. c.

ASH'BEL P. W. NETHERCOT, OF ELKHART, INDIANA.

SPLICE-PLATE FOR BAILPJ'OINTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. '7, 1911.

Application filed. February 25, 1910. Serial No. 545,881.

To all whom "it may concem' Be it known that I, AsHBEL P. N. NETH- nnoo'r, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Elkhart, in the county of Elkhart and State of Indiana, have invented" new and useful Improvements in Splice-Plates for Rail-Joints, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to splice plates for rail joints, the object being to provide identically formed plates which may be conveniently and quickly attached to the rail ends and to provide truss-forming members which, in practice, are disposed beneath the rail ends and directly under the joint thereof.

In the drawing, forming a portion of this specification and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views :Figure 1 is a side elevation of meeting rail ends showing my improved splice plates applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the splice plates.

In the drawing, ordinary rail ends 1 and 2 are employed at the sides of which are disposed the vertical portions or splice plates 3 and 41-. These plates are identically formed and each is provided with an outwardly extending flange 5 which extends over the base flanges of the rail ends, as shown. The por tion 5 is provided midway between its ends with a head member 6 fro-1n which extends a truss member 7. At the sides of the truss member the head 6 is provided with apertures for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The truss member 7 of the plate 3 is provided with an upwardly and outwardly extending shoulder 8 and adjacent the said shoulder the member is provided with a downwardly and out-wardly extending shoulder 9. The truss member 7 of the plate 4 is provided with an upwardly and outwardly extending shoulder 10 which is adapted when the plates are operatively positioned on the rail ends to engage the downwardly and outwardly extending shoulder 9 as will be understood. The member 7 of the plate a is also provided with a clownwardly and outwardly extending shoulder 11 which is adapted to be engaged with the shoulder 8 of the plate 3. The rail ends are provided with the usual bolt-receiving passages which are adapted to aline with similar passages in the vertical portions of the plates 3 and 4 and to receive therewith suitable fastening devices 12. vVhen the splice plates are engaged with the rail ends as shown the truss members 7 are disposed beneath the rail ends and located directly beneath the joint. Clamping bolts or equivalent fastening devices 13 connect the head members 6 as shown to hold the shoulders of the truss members 7 operatively engaged with each other. The interlocking shoulders of the truss members are so constructed that a perfect joint is provided capable of withstanding considerable weight and strain. By flaring the shoulders of the truss members in opposite directions the meeting ends of the truss members are effectively held against vertical or lateral strain. Each flange 5 is formed intermediate of its ends with an enlarged portion 5. In other words, this portion is of an increased thickness with respect to the remaining side portions of the flange so as to add materially to the strength of the truss members.

I claim:

Splice plates for rail ends having vertical portions engaged with the rail ends, head portions extending downwardly below the base flanges of the rail ends, truss members extending from the said head portions and arranged in a plane with each other and disposed immediately beneath the joint of the rail ends, each truss member having its inner extremity formed to provide a pair of downwardly and oppositely extending shoulders and the shoulders of one member being arranged in interlocking engagement with the shoulders of the other member, and fastening devices connecting the said head members.

i In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ASHBEL P. N. NETHERCOT.

WVitnesses FERN E. DILEY, LEOTA M. FISHER. 

